“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” — Pablo Picasso

Barcelona is the city of Picasso, Gaudí and Miró. Catalan Modernisme dazzles in every corner of town and famous works fill a myriad of museums, while in the maze-like alleyways of the Ciutat Vella, vibrant and playful street art from El Pez, El Xupet Negre, Konair, BL2A and more brighten otherwise grey storefronts. There’s no better place than this to get artistic inspiration.

Why not brush up on your creative skills as a family? These workshops in Barcelona let kids be kids and encourage you to reconnect with your imagination at the same time.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

A small, but lively space in Gràcia, Carrousel Craft has an impressive range of workshops on offer, from sewing, knitting and crochet to scrapbooking and decoupage. More eccentric workshops involve making macramé bracelets and handcrafted soaps, as well as book folding and accessorising with flowers. It’s also possible to personalise workshops for young children or for special occasions, such as baby showers, birthdays and bachelorette parties. Carrousel will set up the space and all the necessary materials in keeping with the theme of the event. Owner Rosa González encourages her clients to “put a little DIY in their life to improve their humour and lower their stress”.

CARPENTRY

Didn’t think your family would ever be trusted to operate heavy machinery? Think again! TMDC—formerly housed inside the popular co-working space Betahaus—aims to teach you the basics of working with wood, including how to use tools to cut, drill, polish and bind your designs. From a crash course in woodworking tools to assistance realising your latest great idea, TMDC’s workshops are a safe yet exhilarating way to get started in carpentry and learn all the tips and tricks to get the most out of the tools behind the craft.

Workshop prices range from €31 to €291.

SHOEMAKING

At Opció Diamant, you can design and build your own pair of shoes. Its three-month course (12 classes) takes a practical approach to shoemaking. You will experience every step of the trade: drawing stencils, cutting the leather, sewing the pieces together and finally, slipping on footwear you made with your own two hands. The learning process is slower than in other crafts because you’re meant to repeat what you learn at home. With time, you can even build up to more complex designs with heels or straps and buckles. While your pumps may never upstage a pair of Jimmy Choos, this is certainly one of the more original workshops in Barcelona and is a good option for the more fashion-forward members of your clan.